Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC

Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC

Gov. Brian Kemp’s brutal week started with the threat of a protest at the Capitol urging him to lift coronavirus restrictions as he was planning to do just that. It ended with a cacophony of horns from a caravan of demonstrators outside the Governor’s Mansion who were furious he allowed more businesses to open.

In the days between, he drew bipartisan condemnation. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms worried aloud on national television that he was willing to “sacrifice lives for the sake of the economy.” Health experts warned of dire consequences. And President Donald Trump, his most important ally, strongly rebuked him for two consecutive days…

 

“The moment people hear a bowling alley could reopen, they don’t look at his executive order,” said Buzz Brockway, a former Republican state legislator who is a policy wonk at the conservative-leaning Georgia Center for Opportunity. “There are a lot of restrictions, a lot of hoops you have to jump through.”

 

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Reopening Responsibly

Reopening Responsibly

Reopening Responsibly

Fully Reopening Georgia’s Economy Safely

As stories continue to mount on the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and communities, the Georgia Center for Opportunity recognizes the need to come together as communities. This is already happening with social distancing becoming the new norm. The next step is for businesses, workers and patrons to begin to take the responsibility on themselves to provide safe environments. With the guidance of health experts, Georgia has the opportunity to be an example of how responsible individuals can come together to combat a common threat.

 

Recommendation for a Governor’s Task Force

On April 21, 2020, a day after Governor Brian Kemp outlined steps to safely reopen Georgia’s economy, the Georgia Board of Cosmetology and Barbers issued guidelines on how its licensees may resume operations while looking after public health and safety. This step sets an example for other industries so that all Georgians can get back to work again in a safe and successful manner.

The task for reopening the economy is uncharted territory complicated by the fact that Georgia has 233,500 employer-based establishments, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. There are not only differences between industries, but operations and practices can vary widely among business firms within industries. While we can rely on licensing boards and other government agencies to develop guidelines within their purviews, the complexity of the economy demands more.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) believes that the only way the Governor’s initiative to reopen the economy can be successful is if business leaders, employees, and customers innovate and adapt to operations under the new circumstances. The best solutions will bubble up from individuals at the local level who will develop practical solutions to safely resume activity. While we all properly look to the Governor for his leadership, success will depend on how each member of the community responds. Local heroes will rise to the occasion in their own ways and set an example for us to follow.

Therefore, GCO recommends a process to help facilitate the Governor’s directive for reopening the economy. The hope is that it will allow the economy to operate under a restricted environment until it is possible to return to full functioning without concern for public health, such as having the population protected with a Covid-19 vaccine or a medication available that is both safe and effective against the virus.

To help ensure the success of reopening the economy, GCO recommends the Governor establish a task force to invite business leaders to submit guidelines specific to their industries. The Governor can use these industry-specific guidelines produced by this process to help him make further decisions on how to effectively and safely bring Georgia’s economy fully back. Furthermore, by making the guidelines available publicly, it will help others determine the best ways they, too, can resume activities safely.

 

Role of the Task Force

The proposed task force will notify business leaders of the opportunity to set up teams for their industry. These teams will draw up guidelines on how businesses in their industry will resume operations in a safe manner, consistent with CDC guidelines and other guidance provided by the Commissioner of Public Health.

The task force may initiate contact with business leaders and invite other industries to form teams. Businesses are responsible for writing the guidelines. In other words, the task force will not write the guidelines. Its job is to facilitate the process and to assist where needed. This approach relies on innovation and the resilience of individuals that have been the hallmark of American prosperity. It also recognizes that the best solutions rise up from individuals at the local level.

The members of the task force should be state officials and key government staff of the Governor’s choosing, and the Governor may elect to appoint private citizens to participate in the task force as well. For example, among those the Governor chooses for the task force may include the economic development commissioner, the labor commissioner, key staff from the Governor’s office, an economic advisor, and perhaps a well-known business leader.

 

Infectious Disease Guidance

Under the proposal, the Commissioner of Public Health plays a critical role. Business leaders, employees, and customers need good and trustworthy information to help them make good decisions. Therefore, the Commissioner will provide guidance, including forwarding CDC information, on how to stop the spread of infectious disease. It is important to formalize her role in this process so that her team can be fully engaged in providing guidance to businesses, employees, and customers.

The information provided by the Commissioner will be crucial to the business teams, allowing them to develop their industry-specific guidelines. As new information and technologies on stopping the spread of infectious disease become available, the commissioner will provide updates. These updates will enable the industry teams to modify their guidelines appropriately.

In turn, small and large businesses alike can use the guidelines to devise practices and protocols on how they can resume operations safely.

 

Industry Teams

Business leaders will volunteer their time and are expected to put together their own teams of experts to devise the guidelines. When the proposed guidelines are ready, they simply submit them directly to the task force.

Under this proposal, businesses are free to form their own teams and submit their proposals even if they were not approached by a member of the task force.

 

Website

One of the first actions of the task force should be to establish a central website with easy access and easy navigation to all industry guidelines and announcements. In addition, the website should provide links to guidance from the Commissioner of Public Health and the names of the industry team members to facilitate communications. This website should go online as soon as possible

 

Responsible Society Reaction

Reopening the economy is extremely important. The livelihoods of Georgians are dependent on it. Moreover, a strong economy is the best policy against poverty, and we certainly do not want to thrust more Georgians into poverty. Therefore, we must find ways to safely resume activity within the current environment. Georgia can be an example to the nation, but its success depends on how we as individuals respond and innovate.

Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC

Meet 5 Chicago Tech Companies on the COVID-19 Front Lines | BUILT IN CHICAGO

They’re looking into 3D-printing N95 and N80 masks. They’re providing medical professionals with personal protective equipment made in-house. They’re distributing fanny-packs stuffed with medical supplies to healthcare providers. 

Tech companies across the nation are stepping up in the face of the novel coronavirus, and Chicago businesses are no exception…

 

We are joining forces with the Georgia Center for Opportunity to provide support to those who have been economically impacted by COVID-19 in the Greater Atlanta area. This partnership combines the power of Solve’s technology with GCO’s “Hiring Well, Doing Good” program to connect un- and underemployed people with the resources, training and job opportunities they need in order to regain stability through employment. 

 

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Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC

Business, policy leaders weigh in on what’s needed to help rebuild Georgia’s economy | BAKER CITY HERALD

While part of Georgia’s economy is scheduled to reopen Friday, business and policy leaders say the state needs to take action to secure long-term stability.

Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) – an independent nonprofit think tank – said state officials should involve business leaders and local organizations in the reopening process. Chris Clark, CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said lawmakers need to instill policies to protect businesses until the economy is stabilized…

 

In its proposal for reopening the economy, GCO said lawmakers should consider forming coalitions with other states. For example, Georgia could coordinate reopening areas of South Carolina that are close to the Port of Savannah. Many people work at the port and live across the Savannah River in South Carolina, GCO said.

“No recovery plan is without risk, but we must weigh the risk and rely on health and business professionals to do so,” GCO President and CEO Randy Hicks said. “Now is the time for everyone to come together to explore solutions that protect our neighborhoods and respond to community needs.”

 

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Changing Perspective Toward Family | HEALTHY @ HOME

Changing Perspective Toward Family | HEALTHY @ HOME

Changing Perspective Toward Family | HEALTHY @ HOME

Michael Kirkland of Family Ministries joins the HFI team to discuss how to overcome stress and turn toward your family. While you may feel the need to get away, Michael shares ways that you can change your mindset and make the most of this moment.

Inside a week that could define Kemp’s political career | AJC

CENTER SQUARE: Business, policy leaders weigh in on what’s needed to help rebuild Georgia’s economy

While part of Georgia’s economy is scheduled to reopen Friday, business and policy leaders say the state needs to take action to secure long-term stability.

Buzz Brockway, vice president of public policy for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) – an independent nonprofit think tank – said state officials should involve business leaders and local organizations in the reopening process. Chris Clark, CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said lawmakers need to instill policies to protect businesses until the economy is stabilized…

 

In its proposal for reopening the economy, GCO said lawmakers should consider forming coalitions with other states. For example, Georgia could coordinate reopening areas of South Carolina that are close to the Port of Savannah. Many people work at the port and live across the Savannah River in South Carolina, GCO said.

“No recovery plan is without risk, but we must weigh the risk and rely on health and business professionals to do so,” GCO President and CEO Randy Hicks said. “Now is the time for everyone to come together to explore solutions that protect our neighborhoods and respond to community needs.”

 

Read the full article here